The number of salaried workers guaranteed overtime pay has plummeted since 1979: Number of salaried workers* covered by overtime salary threshold, 1979–2014 (in millions)
| Year | Number of salaried workers* covered |
|---|---|
| 1979 | 12.6 |
| 1980 | 10.8 |
| 1981 | 8.9 |
| 1982 | 7.4 |
| 1983 | 6.5 |
| 1984 | 5.8 |
| 1985 | 5.1 |
| 1986 | 4.5 |
| 1987 | 3.8 |
| 1988 | 3.5 |
| 1989 | 3.4 |
| 1990 | 3.0 |
| 1991 | 2.4 |
| 1992 | 2.2 |
| 1993 | 2.1 |
| 1994 | 2.5 |
| 1995 | 2.3 |
| 1996 | 2.2 |
| 1997 | 2.0 |
| 1998 | 1.9 |
| 1999 | 1.6 |
| 2000 | 1.5 |
| 2001 | 1.3 |
| 2002 | 1.2 |
| 2003 | 1.1 |
| 2004 | 5.5 |
| 2005 | 5.5 |
| 2006 | 4.9 |
| 2007 | 4.8 |
| 2008 | 4.4 |
| 2009 | 3.9 |
| 2010 | 3.8 |
| 2011 | 3.8 |
| 2012 | 3.7 |
| 2013 | 3.6 |
| 2014 | 3.5 |
* The sample included salaried (nonhourly), full-time workers who are 18 years or older. It excluded teachers (pre-K through college) and religious workers, who are automatically exempt from overtime protections.
Note: The nominal threshold was set at $250 per week from 1975 until 2004 when it was increased to $455 per week. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, all salaried workers under the threshold must receive overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 per week.
Source: Adapted from Figure A in Ross Eisenbrey, Raising the overtime salary threshold is an important improvement in working families’ labor standards, Economic Policy Institute Testimony, October 5, 2015